Library Display Policy
I. Purpose and Scope
The Oliver Wolcott Library strives to select, acquire, curate and provide free and easy access to materials that meet the varied needs and interests of the community. The Library evaluates and makes accessible materials in accordance with the protections against discrimination set forth in section 46a- 64 of the general statutes. The Library supports intellectual freedom and subscribes to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and The Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements.
The Library recognizes the importance of the public library as a place for voluntary inquiry, the dissemination of information and ideas, and promotion of free expression and free access to ideas by residents.
The Library creates library displays to increase awareness of and interest in the library collection. Library displays provide for the interest, information and enlightenment of all residents; and materials selected to be displayed should represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints.
Library displays provide access to content that is relevant to general research and informational needs, independent interests and educational needs of residents.
Library displays play an important role in highlighting the library collection, topics of relevancy and interest, and act as a resource for voluntary inquiry and dissemination of information and ideas.
All library displays are curated, meaning selected and organized, by librarians. Librarians are professionally trained to curate and develop displays.
The Library may curate a display that is co-sponsored with another nonprofit organization. In the event of a co-sponsored display, curation still remains with the librarians.
The Library does not allow outside groups to provide displays.
II. Principles and Criteria
The final responsibility for the display of library materials is held by the Library Director, but day to-day responsibility is shared by librarians that are professionally trained to curate and develop displays. The Library will strive to include a wide spectrum of opinions and viewpoints in library-initiated displays. Library displays should not exclude topics, books, media or other resources solely because they may be considered to be controversial.
Acceptance of a display topic does not constitute an endorsement by the Library of the content of the display or the views expressed in the materials on display.
Librarians use the following criteria in making decisions about display topics, materials and accompanying resources:
• Community interests and needs
• Availability of display space
• Historical, cultural, or educational significance
• Connection to other local or national programs, exhibitions or events
• Visual appeal of the available materials
• Connection to upcoming library programs or events
• Connection to seasonal celebrations of interest to the community
• Availability of topic/subject matter in the library’s collection
Frequency is another factor in considering topics for displays. To keep displays interesting to the community, subject choices are rotated.
III. Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
The Library serves all members of the community and acknowledges that some users will object to some materials within the Library. Therefore, some materials selected for the collections may seem controversial and even distasteful to some Library users. It is the right of the individual not to read, view or hear materials that the individual considers objectionable.
IV. Reconsideration of Library Displays
The Oliver Wolcott Library Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of hearing from the public regarding library displays. The Library seriously considers suggestions made by residents.
The completion of the Request for Reconsideration Form does not guarantee either the removal of the display, accession to the collection or removal from the collection but does ensure the attention of the Library to user opinion, interests, and concerns.
The Library limits consideration of requests to reconsider materials, displays or programs to residents of the Town of Litchfield. Please see our Library Material Review and Reconsideration Policy and Form for further information on this process.
This policy may be found on the Oliver Wolcott Library’s website at www.owlibrary.org Copies may also be obtained by visiting the Oliver Wolcott Library and requesting a copy.
Submitted September 3, 2025
Approved October 30, 2025